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MOAB, Utah — A group of Utah State University students traveled to Nepal as part of a two-week study abroad immersive learning experience centered around the local healthcare practices
The trip of nine USU students included five from USU Moab. Students who participated in the program expanded their understanding of global health by navigating unfamiliar healthcare settings and embracing new ways of learning
The students traveled to three different communities, giving service and collaborating with local healthcare workers at hospitals, clinics and community organizations. The students also gifted 10 water filtration systems to families in need
The Moab campus partnered with the Utah nonprofit Youthlinc and Waves for Water, as well as the Nepal organization Insight Himalaya
“Hospitals and schools were selected to give students experiences in public, private, rural, urban and specialty healthcare settings,” said Shanda Thompson, USU Moab academic advisor. “Study abroad can be a grounding experience for students and the direction they want to go once they finish their program. Our program was focused on healthcare, and it allowed students to see similarities and differences between our healthcare system and Nepal’s.”
Some of the local healthcare facilities the students saw included a maternity hospital. Nursing student Haley Rice, who is an aspiring NICU nurse, was amazed to see how the nurses at the hospital worked to meet the needs of patients while being equipped with scarce repeople behind it
“As a nursing student, this experience reminded me why I chose this career,” she said. “It made me want to be the kind of nurse who is compassionate, open-minded and willing to learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences. I came home with a new appreciation for the healthcare system we have, but also with a better understanding that there’s always something we can learn from others.”
The trip also included a visit to a hospital that treated people with leprosy. The students were inspired by the resilience of patients and doctors and nurses alike in a setting that did not include basic amenities that the students took for granted, including air conditioning and clean drinking water
“This experience made me realize how different healthcare can be in other parts of the world,” said nursing student Jeferlita Zul. “To actually see with your own eyes makes a huge difference. Seeing it firsthand made me appreciate what I have and gave me a new perspective on how lucky I am.”
In addition to their work, students saw remote regions of the mountains and hiked one of the most famous mountainous regions of the world
“The trekking was definitely challenging, and at times it felt like we might have overdone it, but it was still an amazing experience,” Zul said. “I loved seeing the mountains and getting to visit places that felt very different from home. I still shed tears when people ask me about Nepal.”
Students described their experience as eye-opening
“More than anything, Nepal taught me gratitude,” Rice said. “I came home with a greater appreciation for the opportunities I’ve had, the education I’m receiving, and the healthcare reming, resilient and kind, and I know those are lessons I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life, both as a person and someday as a nurse.”
More information is available at studyabroad.usu.edu or by contacting a USU Study Abroad advisor at studyabroad@usu.edu
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WRITER
Marcus Jensen
News Coordinator
University Marketing and Communicationsmarcus.jensen@usu.edu
CONTACT
Shanda Thompson
Academic Advisor
Statewide & Online Educationshanda.thompson@usu.edu
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